Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Dance music band THE IMAGE has just released a new song digitally, titled "Paradise". Like the previous, "Love Is Blind" (out last month), it features guest singer arvin homa aya (ex-Jazztronik) who wrote the lyrics. Check out the music video below!

THE IMAGE is led by singer Nakamura Michihiro, with Taku Tomizawa (Number the., Group Tamashii) on guitar, Ori Makoto (aka Francis, ex-The Collectors) on bass, and jazz drummer Hajime. The band released its first album "1" in April.

THE IMAGE "Paradise" (Download)

Mitch Records
Out now (6/30)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

A new collaboration single by DÉ DÉ MOUSE and UK producer TANUKI (Twitter, SoundCloud), featuring singer hitomitoi, has just been released today! The artwork is by Korean artist Billie Snippet, and the release comes jointly from both DÉ DÉ MOUSE's label not records and Hong Kong label Neoncity Records. The lyric video which can be seen below was made by YMCK.

This song plus an '80s disco-inspired "Dance Mix" will be released on 7" for Record Store Day Japan's RSD Drops on July 17 (official info). Stay tuned for details on this site.

DÉ DÉ MOUSE & TANUKI "The Night of Neon Light feat. HITOMITOI" (Download)
DÉ DÉ MOUSE & TANUKI 「Neon Lightの夜 feat. 一十三十一」
(Japanese title: "Neon Light no yoru feat. hitomitoi")

not records & Neoncity Records
Out now (6/30)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music

An "expanded edition" of Indonesian city pop band ikkubaru's first album "Amusement Park" is being released today in Japan! The 2-CD package includes both 1st album "Amusement Park" (2015) plus mini-album "Brighter" (2016), plus a full CD worth of rare and demo tracks. Also included is a brand new remix by Emiri Kanou of the song "City Hunter", which is also available digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

When buying the album at Pied Piper House (a legendary good music record shop revived within Tower Records' Shibuya or Shinjuku stores), a limited promo badge is given away (while supplies last).

ikkubaru's 2nd album "Chords & Melodies" was released in September 2020. That new album will be released on Record Store Day Japan's RSD Drops on July 17 (official info). Also a new 7" single will be released for City Pop On Vinyl on August 28 (official info). Stay tuned for details on this site!

ikkubaru "Amusement Park Expanded Edition"

Disc 1 "Amusement Park" & "Brighter"
1. Love Me Again
2. City Hunter
3. Amusement Park
4. Chasing Your Shadow
5. Blue Waltz
6. Ride
7. Anything
8. Highway
9. Eve
10. See The Skies
11. Slide Away
12. Seaside
13. Shooting Star
14. Brighter
15. Do You
16. City Hunter Part 2
17. Sway
18. Her Prayer

Disc 2 "Rare & Demo Tracks"
1. Hope You Smile
2. Eternal Lover
3. Sweet Lust
4. Winter Dream
5. Funstation
6. Horizon
7. Love Will Seek
8. Out Of Your Love
9. Speed Of Light
10. Words
11. Time
12. Evening Without You
13. Pop Art Music
14. Take The Breeze
15. The Encounter
16. City Hunter -1985 Remix- by Emiri Kanou

Ca Va? Records HYCA-8012
Out 6/30, ¥2800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Amusement Park"

"Chasing Your Shadow"

"Seaside"

Singer-songwriter/trackmaker Mom has released today a new song digitally titled "Mom no Day Catch", accompanied by a music video that you can watch below. This is the 3rd song released since last year's album "21st Century Cultboi Ride a Sk8board", following "Kokoro Ga Kowaresou" and "shukujitsu".

Mom also announced that he has a brand new 4th album titled "owari no Caricature" that will be released on July 28!

Mom "Mom no Day Catch" (Download)
Mom 「Momのデイキャッチ」

Victor Entertainment
Out now (6/30)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

P.O.P, the band fronted by twin rappers, has just released a new 4th album! To put the focus on being backed by a band sound, the album is titled "Band and Soul", also a wordplay that sounds similar to Band ensō (band performance). This follows album "itsumo Street" (2019).

Aside from being available digitally, at the links below, there's also a CD edition that's currently available maybe only through MSE Store (shipping within Japan).

A special show for the release will be held on August 8, with online streaming available. Stay tuned for details.

P.O.P "Band and Soul"

1. introduction of Band and Soul
2. Do the Clap
3. Nidone
4. Summer Pixel
5. Neko&BEER
6. Asamade

indahouse
Out now (6/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Music video of the entire album!

Released today digitally, this is a theme song made for being used in weekly TV program "Ariyoshieeeee!", which has a segment about curry. The title translates to "Spice curry of love! Naan is all-you-can-eat", and the song was written and produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella, also producer of xiangyu), with lyrics co-written by Toshi (of Taka and Toshi). It's sung by comedians Taka and Toshi with model Ikeda Miyu (aka Michopa). Check out the music video below!

Backdrop Turmerics "koi no Spice Curryeeeee! Nan wa okawari jiyū desu" (Download)
バックドロップターメリックs 「恋のスパイスカレーeeeee！ ナンはおかわり自由です」

1. koi no Spice Curryeeeee! Nan wa okawari jiyū desu
2. koi no Spice Curryeeeee! Nan wa okawari jiyū desu (TV size)
3. koi no Spice Curryeeeee! Nan wa okawari jiyū desu (Instrumental)

TV Tokyo Music, Inc.
Out now (6/28)
Sample/buy:

RYUTist's latest single "Mizugarasu", released digitally last month, is being released on 12" clear vinyl that plays at 45rpm. A previously unreleased instrumental version is also included.

A live show of the "Home Live" series will be held online on July 3. Details and tickets can be found here.

RYUTist "Mizugarasu" (Download)
RYUTist 「水硝子」

A1. Mizugarasu
A2. mizugarasu - Uyama Amane remix -
B. Mizugarasu (inst)

Penguin Disc PGDV-0002
Out 6/29, ¥2700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Future soul idol group YORUWAKOREKARA (Twitter) has just released a new EP of 5 songs. As always the music is produced by Blackstone Village.

Since the single "Stronger Like You", they had also released two other songs titled "OkiteYaburi" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) and "New chapter" (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

Today was held in Osaka an event for the release, and it can still be watched via Twitcasting archived until July 11 (JST). Tickets are ¥1500 + service fee ¥100.

YORUWAKOREKARA "VOYAGE -midnight-" (Download)

1. Intro
2. Take Off
3. U ain't know
4. skit
5. Gimme More (DJ Uncle Chestnuts Remix)

Waveridge
Out now (6/27)
Sample/buy: , Spotify

"Take Off"

"Take Off" live performance

Singer-songwriter/trackmaker G.RINA has just released a new album titled "Tolerance"! Featured artists include Chinza Dopeness, Zen-La-Rock, NENE (Yurufuwa Gang), BIM and more.

This follows 2017 album "Live & Learn", though she had since released several songs digitally, and also in 2018 she started hip-hop unit FNCY with Chinza Dopeness and Zen-La-Rock releasing album "FNCY" (2019) and EP "minna no natsu" (2020) .

For the album release, G.RINA performed an online mini-live which was followed by an autograph session. It can be still watched here.

G.RINA "Tolerance"

1. Body Temperature
2. i wanna know feat. Chinza DOPENESS
3. miryoku
4. PMS feat. NENE
5. Tolerance feat. Xin Seha
6. natsu no yūnagi feat. Kzyboost
7. Cardigan
8. you make me feel all right ~ Magnetic, Galactic Reprise
9. White Night (356 ver.) feat. BIM
10. Simple Pleasure feat. ZEN-LA-ROCK
11. shinchintaisha

Victor Entertainment VICL-65516
Out now (6/23)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"miryoku" music video (G.RINA edit)

"White Night feat. BIM"
(Version different from album)

Following new song "Hikari no disco" earlier this month, CAPSULE has just released another track digitally. This one is short, quiet and cinematic, and like "Hikari no disco" it also appears in animated movie "Knights of Sidonia" that's now showing in theaters.

CAPSULE "Utsusemi (KNIGHTS OF SIDONIA Ai Tsumugu Hoshi) [Movie Version]" (Download)
CAPSULE 「うつせみ（映画「シドニアの騎士 あいつむぐほし」） Movie Version」

Warner Music
Out now (6/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Hard Nips is a band of four Japanese girls based in Brooklyn, New York. They have just released a 3rd album titled "Master Cat"! Formed in 2009, Hard Nips have influences of rock'n'roll, punk and new wave.

The album is available digitally on the band's Bandcamp as well as other download/streaming platforms linked below. For those living in the U.S., a limited number of LPs and cassettes are available at the label Dadstache Records.

A recent live performance at Surya Sound Temple (Brooklyn, NY) can be watched here, starting at about exactly 4 hours in. Also, an interview has been posted on YouTube, part of an interview series by 4533 Studio featuring Brooklyn-based artists.

Hard Nips "Master Cat"

1. Blender X
2. Master Cat
3. Workaholic
4. Alternative Dreamland
5. Analog guys
6. Motto
7. Anaconda
8. Cupid Devil

Dadstache Records
Out now (6/4)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Blender X"

METAFIVE suddenly released today a brand new song, titled "The Paramedics"! The music video was directed by METAFIVE and is made up of excerpts from the films of Takashi Itō. It had already been 11 months since the song "Environmental" was released digitally.

It was announced last month that a new album titled "METAATEM" will be released on August 11! Stay tuned for details.

METAFIVE "The Paramedics" (Download)

Warner Music
Out now (6/25)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Singer-songwriter Ayane Yamazaki has just released a new album titled "Ribbon", containing recent single "Melody" plus 5 new tracks, combining ambient pop and easy listening. The music was arranged and sound-produced by Kei Maruyama.

This follows last year's album "Yobikakerarete" (, Spotify, YouTube Music), from which the song "The Moment God Dwells" was played on Tokyo's Coolest Sound's radio show last month.

Ayane Yamazaki "Ribbon" (Download)

1. Ribbon
2. Melody
3. Blue
4. Feel Summer
5. Phase
6. Sophia

Friendship.
Out now (6/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

80KIDZ has released this week a remix album titled "Angle Remixes", featuring various remixes of songs from latest album "Angle".

The remixes by Shin Sakiura, tofubeats and yonkey are being released on 7" one per month, with the original version on the flipside. "Glasses feat. mabanua" is out now (Jet Set, CDJapan, Amazon, HMV), to be followed by "Magic feat. AAAMYYY" to be released on July 21 and "Your Closet feat. YonYon" on August 18.

80KIDZ "Angle Remixes" (Download)

1. Your Closet feat. YonYon (80KIDZ House Remodel)
2. Banane feat. Maika Loubté (80KIDZ Acid Remodel)
3. Don't Stop x Your Closet
4. Glasses feat. mabanua (Shin Sakiura Remix)
5. Magic feat. AAAMYYY (tofubeats Remix)
6. Your Closet feat. YonYon (yonkey Remix)
7. Banane feat. Maika Loubté (YI SEUNGGYU Remix)
8. Subject (Maru dnb Remix)
9. Glasses feat. mabanua (MONKEY TIMERS Remix)
10. Banane feat. Maika Loubté (KZMT Remix)
11. Magic feat. AAAMYYY (TAAR Remix)
12. Your Closet feat. YonYon (Yaffle Remix)

Park
Out now (6/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Maika Loubté released this week a new song titled "System", which is a collaboration with Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth! The song is already available digitally, and a lyric video directed by Saou Tanaka (who also did the visuals for previous single "Spider Dancing") can be watched below.

This song follows "Mist", "5AM" and "Spider Dancing", showing the way to her upcoming album.

Maika Loubté & Ryan Hemsworth "System" (Download)

Water Records
Out now (6/23)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music

Lyric video
Premieres on June 26 @ 11AM (JST)

This is Tokyo's Coolest Sound's own radio show, which is featured on La Face B (Facebook page), an Internet radio based in Montréal (Québec, Canada). It brings you some favorite songs and artists that you've read about in these pages. Tune in at the times below at http://lafaceb.live. Happy listening!

"Tokyo's Coolest Sound" (vol.17) will play at http://lafaceb.live on June 23, 2021 from 22:00 (EDT = Montréal/New York).
* Japan time: June 24, 2021 from 11:00 a.m.

There will be replays in October 2021:

EDT (Montréal/New York) —

Fri. Oct. 15 at 16h, Mon. 18 at noon, Tue. 19 at 8h, Wed. 20 at 4h, Thurs. 21 at 0h

Japan time —

Sat. Oct. 16 at 5h, Tue. 19 at 1h, Tue. 19 at 21h, Wed. 20 at 17h, Thurs. 21 at 13h

This episode was not archived as-is. Listen to the Spotify playlist of most of the songs, or scroll down this page to find music videos and individual songs, and also listen to the narration.

Below is the full tracklist with liner notes, and narration parts that you can listen to.

1. Zoomgals "Status Ailment Just Alive" (2020)
(Japanese title: 「生きてるだけで状態異常」)

Zoomgals is a super group of 6 MCs: Namichie, Marukido, ASOBOiSM, AKKOGORILLA, valknee and Haruko Tajima. Having debuted last year remotely (their name even taken from the remote tool), they have so far released three songs starting with "Zoom" (music video, also on Spotify, ) which was followed by this song "Status Ailment Just Alive" (Spotify, ).

Zoomgals' latest is titled "GALS" and features Yayoi Daimon (Spotify, ). Watch its music video further down this page.

🔈 Listen to Narration I
Presenting: Zoomgals, MANON

2. MANON "18" (2020)

French-Japanese artist & model MANON (Instagram) released this song "18" (Spotify, ) last year, with lyrics she wrote herself about being an 18-year-old (she has since turned 19). MANON also does video, and she co-directed the music video for this song.

MANON's latest original song is "GALCHAN MODE" (Spotify, ) released digitally last month. Check out the 3DCG video further down this page.

3. Otagiri "Échoes (feat. Butaji)" (2021)

Otagiri is a rapper who was previously known as Soccerboy, and he has just released in February an album titled "The Radiant" (Bandcamp). Included is the song "Échoes" which features butaji, who also co-produced another song on the album.

A recent performance in collaboration with theater company chelfitsch and video artist Kouki Tange, titled "Outrap", has just been made available ondemand via Vimeo. You can check out the trailer and rent the full-length here (19 minutes).

🔈 Listen to Narration II
Presenting: Otagiri, Love And Hates

4. Love And Hates "Money" (2011)

Love And Hates is a duo formed of Yuppa aka HNC (Twitter, Instagram) and Moe (Instagram) (of Milla and The Geeks, Housewife Punks), mixing indie pop, lo-fi and hip-hop. The song "Money" is from their album "L.A.H." (Spotify, , YouTube Music), which was released almost 10 years ago. Always sounding just as fresh, the album features collaborations with Hideki Kaji (in a cover of "Mahna Mahna"!), human beatbox AFRA (watch the video below) and talkboxers Luvraw & BTB.

HNC recently made an appearance with MANON on the new album of KM, "Everything Inside" (Spotify, , YouTube Music). Moe has been active in making fancy accessories with her brand Joy!, and sometimes DJs as a member of Twee Grrrls Club.

5. Haruko Tajima "Astral Gal" (2019)
(Japanese title: 田島ハルコ 「Astral Gal」)

Haruko Tajima has been active solo for over five years, releasing several albums of which the latest is "kawaiiresist" (, Spotify, YouTube Music) on which appears "Astral Gal". Since then five singles were released, along with starting activity with Zoomgals. Bandcamp is the place where to find all of Haruko's works, including new wave band Shampoo Hats.

Check out Haruko's YouTube channel that's full of addicting self-directing music videos. You can start with her latest song "Eccentric Seinen Boy" (Spotify, ), also featured at the bottom of this page.

Also, a show of Haruko that was held in January 2020 at Shibuya WWW can be watched in full on YouTube! I was there and had a blast!

6. valknee "SUPER KAWAII OSHI" (2020)

I learned of valknee (Twitter) via Zoomgals, which apparently got formed from her doing a call for other gal rappers, and I quickly got into her characteristic style. Although being Japanese, her lyrics often show some Korean skills that she gained from living in Seoul at a young age. "SUPER KAWAII OSHI" is from her mini-album "Diary" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) released last year.

Her latest track is "Sweetie30" (Spotify, , YouTube Music) released digitally as she turned 30 in March.

🔈 Listen to Narration III
Presenting: Haruko Tajima, valknee, O'CHAWANZ

7. O'CHAWANZ "Rest of the Girls" (2021)

Hip-hop unit O'CHAWANZ has a nice and fun vibe that often reminds me of Shibuya-kei, of course also a bit because of the bordered T-shirts. They have just released a 3rd album titled "Do The Right Thing" (Spotify, , YouTube Music).

O'CHAWANZ often live-stream their shows, so it's good to keep an eye on their official Twitter which sometimes suddenly posts a streaming link. I try to pick them up and post details in this site's live streaming news whenever I happen to notice.

Thank you for tuning in!

Find previous radio shows right here. You can also listen to some previous shows on Mixcloud.

Here are more music videos by the artists featured in this episode.

Zoomgals "GALS feat. Daimon Yayoi"

MANON "GALCHAN MODE"

chelfitsch × Otagiri × Koki Tange "Outrap" trailer

LOVE AND HATES "Kung-Fu Ripping feat. Afra"

Haruko Tajima "Eccentric Seinen Boy"

valknee "Diary"

O'CHAWANZ "PAST TIME PARADISE"

Two new songs were just released today by Chikada Haruo & Haruophone, a band name that was mainly used in the 70s. Titled "Ai No Sono" and "Rock 'N' Roll Ga Daisukide", both of the songs were arranged by guitarist Kubota Haruo (Pearl Brothers). Footage of the recording can be watch in the video below.

These songs will be part of a compilation titled "Legend-tachi no Lullaby" (roughly translates to "Lullaby of the Legends") to be released on vinyl around September, which will feature new songs by artists that have been active in the 70s or 80s. Also already available in advance digitally are songs by Juicy Fruits ("tsurupika☆kirarin" (, OTOTOY) and "dairenai jidai" (, OTOTOY)) and Creation ("Long Beach" (OTOTOY), "One Night Dream" (OTOTOY)).

Chikada Haruo has been quite active in the recent years, releasing solo album "chou joudan dakara" and project LUNASUN's "Organ Heaven" in 2018, and greatest hits album "Chikada Haruo Best ~ The Baddest Guy In The World" in 2019.　Since last year he had also been posting several new tracks on his own YouTube account.

Chikada Haruo & Haruophone "Ai No Sono" (Download)
近田春夫＆ハルヲフォン 「愛のその」

Battle Cry Sound
Out now (6/18)
Sample/buy: , OTOTOY, Amazon MP3 U.S.

Chikada Haruo & Haruophone "Rock 'N' Roll Ga Daisukide" (Download)
近田春夫＆ハルヲフォン 「ロックンロールが大好きで」

Battle Cry Sound
Out now (6/18)
Sample/buy: , OTOTOY, Amazon MP3 Japan, Amazon MP3 U.S.

"Ai No Sono" Recording document movie

tofubeats has just released digitally a brand new solo song titled "Smile"! The music video, seen below, shows him recording in his office studio. The video was also made by himself.

Earlier this year he released a collaboration song with rapper dodo, titled "nirvana". Always keeping busy, you can catch up with tofubeats' other works on his web site.

tofubeats "SMILE" (Download)

Warner Music
Out now (6/18)
Sample/buy:

Handsomeboy Technique has just released this month a brand new album! It had been 12 years since the previous, "Terrestrial Tone Cluster" (2009). Included are two songs released digitally last year, "Dakishimeta feat. Keiichi Sokabe" and "Long Slow Distance feat. Moto Kawabe (Mitsume)", and otherwise a whole lot of new tracks. The album was co-produced by Halfby. The jacket was designed by Emori Takeaki (tone twilight), and the CD comes in a gatefold sleeve.

Also check out the 7" of "Dakishimeta feat. Keiichi Sokabe".

Handsomeboy Technique "Technique"

1. White Law
2. Melodies (feat. Subtle Control)
3. Answer
4. Slowfish (feat. Ayaka Tatamino)
5. When You're Gone
6. Long Slow Distance (feat. Moto Kawabe (Mitsume))
7. Wishing for Your Love
8. Somewhere Far Away
9. A Light Hits The Gloom
10. Dakishimeta (feat. Keiichi Sokabe)

Second Royal XQGE-1065
Out now (6/9), ¥2500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Kaede (Negicco) has just released a new concept album, the soundtrack of an imaginary movie titled "Youth". The album's producer is Satō Yūsuke (caméra-stylo) who often accompanies Kaede on piano in her shows. One song also has lyrics written by Suzuki Keiichi (moonriders). There are 4 vocal songs, while the others consist of instrumentals or narration, for a total of approx. 30 minutes. Watch the music video for "Youth" before which seems to make the imaginary movie a reality.

The limited edition includes a Blu-ray disc of an acoustic show held on March 21, 2021 at Ryutopia in Niigata, which was her first in front of an audience in about a year. The album is also available as a regular edition CD, and digitally (, Spotify, YouTube Music).

An acoustic online show for the release will be held on June 17 from 19:30 (JST) and viewable archived for a week. Find all details here.

Kaede "Youth - Original Soundtrack"

CD
(Japanese titles in parentheses)
1. Lumiere
2. Chapter of Summer (natsu no jūjiro)
3. Weather Report
4. Malizia
5. Eyes of the Spider (kaseki saishū)
6. Fragments
7. Olmo
8. A Quiet Day in the Living Bombshell (ikiru bakudan)
9. Room Number
10. Youth

DVD (Limited edition only)
"Kaede Acoustic Live 2021 kasumi no Kaede at Ryutopia"
1. atarashii uta
2. bijakuteki ryūdō
3. Sweet Regret
4. sayonara wa Heart jikake
5. hanataba
6. Sepia iro no 9gatsu
7. Cloud Nine
8. kirakira
9. Morning Call
10. Kaede no enkyori renai
11. anata wa tōku
12. Remember You
13. yoake no heya
14. kimi ga otona ni natte
15. tadaima no mahō
16. hika rakuyō
17. eien no danpen
18. Jupiter

Limited edition (CD+Blu-ray)
T-Palette Records TPRC-0273
Out now (6/15), ¥6000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV (10% off *), Tower Records ^†
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Reguled edition (CD only)
T-Palette Records TPRC-0274
Out now (6/15), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, YesAsia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†, , Spotify, YouTube Music
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

"Youth"

Imaginary idol Ema Grace (Facebook page, SoundCloud), produced by Ryoma Maeda (of Ryoma Maeda & Romantic Suiciders, and known as milch of source and milky-chu), has just released a new EP of two songs! Check it out in the music videos below, then on Bandcamp and download/streaming platforms.

This follows latest original EP "girasol", since which free single "Flower" and free cover album "Covers" were released on Bandcamp. Last year, producer Ryoma Maeda also released tropical ambient mini-album "Tropicalize", and an EP as milky-chu titled "Chu Chu Train".

Ema Grace "Crossing of Our Lives" (Download)

1. Crossing of Our Lives
2. Flower (Summer Edition)

Ryoma Maeda
Out now (6/1)
Sample/buy: Bandcamp, , Spotify, YouTube Music

"Crossing of Our Lives"

"Flower (Summer Edition)"

Trackmaker KM (Twitter) has just released a 2nd album, featuring many rappers and singers such as MANON & HNC, LEX, JJJ & Campanella, Taeyoung Boy, (sic)boy and many others.

KM has been doing many production and collaboration works, including MANON's songs "18" and "Air Kissing" that you've seen in these pages.

KM's own first album is "Fortune Grand" (2018, , Spotify), after which he also produced a full album for (sic)boy titled "Chaos Tape" (2020, , Spotify).

KM "Everything Inside" (Download)

1. MYPPL (feat. Daichi Yamamoto)
2. Filter (feat. JJJ ＆ Campanella)
3. Distortion (feat. Dengaryu)
4. The Way (feat. C.O.S.A.)
5. blinded love (feat. (sic)boy)
6. Stay (feat. LEX)
7. Leave (feat. Lil'Leise But Gold)
8. What Is Love (feat. Kvi Baba)
9. Every Time (feat. MANON & HNC)
10. nothing outside
11. Nova (feat. NTsKi)
12. Family (feat. SPARTA)
13. EVERYTHING INSIDE
14. i (feat. Taeyoung Boy)

Mary Joy Recordings
Out now (6/9)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

"MYPPL (feat. Daichi Yamamoto)"

"Stay (feat. LEX)"

"i (feat. Taeyoung Boy)"

VIDEOTAPEMUSIC has just released digitally a brand new song titled "Funny Meal". The song samples cooking sounds of worldwide meals. Check out the chill music video below!

Other recent releases were album "The Secret Life Of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC" (2019), which was followed by digital edit "The Secret Dub Life of VIDEOTAPEMUSIC" (, Spotify), and also 10" EP "Cocktail Moon feat. Mellow Fellow & Andy Chlau" (2020).

VIDEOTAPEMUSIC "Funny Meal" (Download)

Kakubarhythm
Out now (6/9)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY

Record Store Day is happening this year, as two "RSD Drops" on June 12 and July 17! It seems in good shape looking at the impressive list of releases, with many good ones. Online sales will start at 13:00 (JST) on release day.

Below are some picks of the releases coming this Saturday. At the bottom, you'll find some related YouTube clips. The full list of releases can be found here (where they are ordered by release date).

See also the worldwide Record Store Day site if you want to see the list of international releases.

Happy shopping, and stay tuned for next month's picks!

Various Artists "explore the wonderful voices of bleu? girls compilation vol.1 composed by the Caraway" (10")

Indie pop compilation of girl vocal songs entirely composed and produced by Shimada Osamu (Swinging Popsicle, The Caraway). Three Berry Icecream's Ikemizu Mayumi appears playing accordion on "blueberry sisters song". Mastering by Satō Seiki. Check out the sampler clip here or below.

(Artist / Title)
A1. Les sœurs du bleuet (shiho, Sucrette, mini kyute) / blueberry sisters song
A2. murmur (Bertoia) / My Only One
A3. Wakako Sakamoto (maybelle) / Always
B1. SaToA / I Love Your Tears
B2. aiko (advantage Lucy) / Fall Around Me
B3. hideka (Loco-Holidays, RUBY RUBY STAR) / Blueberry

blue-very label blvd-019
Out 6/12, ¥2500 (excl. tax)
Order: disques blue-very, Bandcamp, Jet Set, HMV

The Pen Friend Club "Chinese Soup" (7")

New single of a cover of Yuming's "Chinese Soup", with for B-side an original song written by The Pen Friend Club's guitarist Rika.

A. Chinese Soup
B. Mind Connection

Sazanami Label SZDW1092
Out 6/12, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Wakita Monari "PLACE" (7")
脇田もなり 「PLACE」

Brand new single, of which the A-side was released in advance digitally. "PLACE" has music co-written by Dorian and Arai Toshiya (COUNTJOKE), and lyrics by YURINA da GOLD DIGGER (Magic, Drums & Love). Monari is also credited for co-writing the music and lyrics. The B-side is an exclusive song for this 7" co-written by Dorian and Monari. A download code is included.

A. PLACE
B. ONDO

Vivid Sound / High Contrast HCR9705
Out 6/12, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

COUNTJOKE "ginga tokkyū" (7")
冗談伯爵 「銀河特急」

New single by COUNTJOKE (Arai Toshiya & Maezono Naoki). The A-side is a new recording of a cover of Matsuzaki Shigeru's "ginga tokkyū" (composed by Tsutsumi Kyōhei), and the B-side is a song released digitally last year.

A. ginga tokkyū
B. A.D. 2200

Love Shop / Vivid Sound / High Contrast HCR9703
Out 6/12, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Reichimo / Reichimo to Keiichi "ai no buki yo! / Share Car" (7")
れいちも / れいちもとけいいち 「愛の武器よ！ / シェアカー」

Debut single of Reichimo, who won a contest related to the Yatsui Ichiro Festival last year. The producer is Sokabe Keiichi (Sunny Day Service), and the music was arranged by Yoshida Tetsuto! Check out the lyric video below that's full of studio recording footage. This limited edition comes on colored vinyl.

A. Reichimo / ai no buki yo!
B. Reichimo to Keiichi / Share Car

Line Records / HMV record shop HR7S219
Out 6/12, ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Samehada Shiriko and Dynamite "kyūkyoku no chāhan"
鮫肌尻子とダイナマイト 「究極のチャーハン」 (7")

A. kyūkyoku no chāhan
B. itsumo kokoro ni yume o

Sazanami Label SZDW1093
Out 6/12, ¥1900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

LUCKY TAPES "BLUE feat. kojikoji / Trouble" (7")

A1. Interlude
A2. BLUE feat. kojikoji
B. Trouble

Victor Entertainment / HMV record shop NKS736
Out 6/12, ¥1900 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

MANON "WORLD'S END feat. dodo (LUV STEP REMIX) - Remix by HIROSHI FUJIWARA" (7")

Reissue of the 7" single that quickly sold out last year, this time in a pink jacket.

A1. WORLD'S END feat. dodo (LUV STEP REMIX)Remix by HIROSHI FUJIWARA
B1. WORLD'S END feat. dodo

Caticorn / asobimusic CATI003P
Out 6/12, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Tsuki no Michikake "sundeita machi de" (7")
月の満ちかけ 「住んでいた街で」

A. sundeita machi de
B. Hometown

Fall Wait Records FAWA-0003
Out 6/12, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Neighbors Complain "I Love You" (7")

Two cover songs from cover album "Made in Street (Live Covers)".

A. I Love You
B. You Gotta Let Go

Vivid Sound VSEP857
Out 6/12, ¥1700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Neighbors Complain "Destruction" (LP)

International release of Neighbors Complain's 4th original album.

A1. Choice
A2. We Gotta Feelin'
A3. Loser
A4. This Era Side
B1. teikū hiko
B2. In The Box
B3. Ordinary Days

Ship to Shore Phono Co. STS-134
Out 6/12, ¥3200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

J.A.K.A.M. feat. Nanao Tavito "Prometheus" (10")
J.A.K.A.M. feat. 七尾旅人 「Prometheus」

J.A.K.A.M. (JUZU a.k.a. MOOCHY) teams up with singer-songwriter Nanao Tavito.

X. Prometheus
Y. Prometheus Instrumental

Crosspoint KOKO-088
Out 6/12, ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

ONEGRAM "Diggin' (MURO's Still Diggin' Edit)" (7")

New edits by DJ Muro.

A. Diggin' (MURO'S Still Diggin' Edit)
B. Diggin' (MURO'S Still Diggin' Dub Edit)

Flower Records FLRS-139
Out 6/12, ¥1500 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

BOO "smile in your face -Featuring Muro- / smile in your face -Sunaga t̀ Experience Remix- (7")

2002-released EP of a song that samples Tatsuro Yamashita's "Sparkle". Includes remix by Tatsuo Sunaga.

A. smile in your face -Featuring Muro-
B. smile in your face -Sunaga t̀ Experience Remix-

Universal Music PROT7112
Out 6/12, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Haruomi Hosono "America / Hosono Haruomi Live in US 2019" (2x12")
細野晴臣 「あめりか / Hosono Haruomi Live in US 2019」

Live album recorded at The Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles, July, 2019. Released on CD in February 2021.

A1. Tutti Frutti
A2. The Song Is Ended
A3. Radio Activity
A4. Bara to Yaju
A5. Jusho Futei Mushoku Tei Shunyu
B1. Choo Choo Gatagoto
B2. Angel On My Shoulder
B3. Honey Moon (w/Mac DeMarco)
B4. Roochoo Gumbo
B5. Peking Duck
C1. Hong Kong Blues
C2. Sports Men
C3. Cow Cow Boogie
C4. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
D1. Pom Pom Joki
D2. Body Snatchers
D3. The House Of Blue Lights
D4. Absolute Ego Dance

Speedstar Records / HMV record shop NJS746/7
Out 6/12, ¥4800 (excl. tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Miharu Koshi "Tutu" (12")
コシミハル 「チュチュ」

1983 album re-issue. Pre-mastered by Haruomi Hosono. New design reusing a photo from 1992 when the album was released on CD

A1. L'amour toujours
A2. Laetitia
A3. Scandal Night
A4. L'amour... ou ironie noire
B1. Sugar Me
B2. Pussy Cat
B3. Keep On Dancin'
B4. nichiyō wa ikanai
B5. Petit paradis

Great Tracks MHJ7-16
Out 6/12, ¥3700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Miharu Koshi "Parallelisme" (12")
コシミハル 「パラレリズム」

A1. ryūgūjō no koibito
A2. Capricious Salad
A3. IMAGE
A4. Saint-Amand no mori de
A5. Mephisto Feres o sagase!
B1. tōbōsha
B2. Parallelisme
B3. Décadence 120
B4. bara no yakai ~ arui wa amai mitsu no imashime

Great Tracks MHJ7-17
Out 6/12, ¥3700 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Yoshida Minako "tobira no fuyu BOX" (LP+CD+7"+CD single+Poster)
吉田美奈子 「扉の冬 BOX」

Direct cutting from original master tapes of first album "tobira no fuyu". Boxed set including LP+CD, 7"+CD single and a poster.

LP/CD
A1. soto wa minna
A2. machibōke
A3. tobira no fuyu
A4. neko
A5. tsunawatari
B1. hensō
B2. kabin
B3. hirusagari
B4. shūmatsu

7"/CD single
A. neko
B. tobira no fuyu

Solid / Trio / Show Boat SOLID-1027
Out 6/12, ¥10000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Quruli "thaw" (2x12")
くるり 「thaw」

Vinyl edition of "thaw", an album of previously unreleased (out on CD in May 2020). Colored vinyl.

A1. Devil
A2. Soup Bowl
A3. ippo
B1. Cherry Pie
B2. evergreen
B3. Hotel Evropa
B4. Dance Music
C1. Anger Blues
C2. Giant Fish
C3. The Girl I Just Saw
C4. Nobody Knows About Human-being
D1. Only You
D2. Wonderful Life
D3. Midnight Train (has gone)
D4. Heureka!

Speedstar Records / HMV record shop NJS-748/9
Out 6/12, ¥5000 (excl. tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Quruli "tensai no ai" (2x12")
くるり 「天才の愛」

13th original album released on CD in April 2021. Includes LP-exclusive bonus tracks!

A1. I Love You
A2. Aria from the sea
A3. Japanese Baseball
A4. Mr. Masurao
B1. Nylon
B2. Osaka Expo
B3. watituti
B4. less than love
C1. Nagisa
C2. Chu-Chu Kotoden
C3. Fizzle
D1. grito latino (feat. Tomi Lebrero & Loli Molina)
D2. Humano (feat. Antonio Loureiro)
D3. Aria from the sea -alternative mix-

Speedstar Records / HMV record shop NJS-750/1
Out 6/12, ¥5000 (excl. tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Akira Ishikawa & Count Buffalo "Okinawa" (12")
石川晶とカウント・バッファローズ 「オキナワ」

First re-issue of 1976 album "Okinawa" by the band of drummer Akira Ishikawa.

A1. Sasquatch
A2. Cadets
A3. Child Elephant March
A4. C'est si bon
B1. Okinawa Blues
B2. Seaside Bound
B3. Tanichamae
B4. Sunset Okinawa

King Record / HMV record shop NAS2084
Out 6/12, ¥3800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Masahiko Satō, Jiro Inagaki and His Big Soul Media "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (12")
佐藤允彦、稲垣次郎とビッグ・ソウル・メディア 「明日にかける橋」

Re-issue of the 1969 jazz-rock album.

A1. Bridge Over Troubled Water
A2. Love and Peace
A3. Somethin' Goin' On
B1. Guru
B2. Serenity
B3. Sniper's Snooze

Nippon Columbia / HMV record shop HMJY143
Out 6/12, ¥4200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Jirō Inagaki and His Soul Media, Yasushi Sawada "Dōsojin" (12")
稲垣次郎とソウル・メディア、沢田靖司 「道祖神」

Re-issue of the 1972 jazz-rock album. Fusion of jazz, rock and folk music.

A1. Inanome
A2. Kigishi
A3. Susomi
A4. Kusakai
A5. Arisobe
B1. Tabute
B2. Sasara
B3. The legacy of Yabunirami

Nippon Columbia / HMV record shop HMJY144
Out 6/12, ¥4200 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Cools R.C. "Movie a go go / Cinderella" (7")
クールスR.C. 「Movie a go go / シンデレラ」

There are 4 re-issues of rare singles by Cools R.C. aka Cools Rockabilly Club. The song "Movie a go go" has lyrics and music written by Yokoyama Ken (now the leader of Crazy Ken Band). Look out for the three other releases in the full list.

A. Movie a go go
B. Cinderella

Solid / Trio SD-551
Out 6/12, ¥1800 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV

Various Artists "explore the wonderful voices of bleu? girls compilation vol.1 composed by the Caraway" sampler clip

The Pen Friend Club "Chinese Soup"

Wakita Monari "PLACE" teaser clip

COUNTJOKE "ginga tokkyū"

COUNTJOKE "A.D. 2020"

Reichimo "ai no buki yo!"

LUCKY TAPES "BLUE feat. kojikoji"

LUCKY TAPES "Trouble"

MANON "WORLD'S END feat. dodo"

MANON "WORLD'S END feat. dodo (LUV STEP REMIX)"

Tsuki no Michikake "sundeita machi de / Hometown" sampler clip

Neighbors Complain "I Love You"

Neighbors Complain "teikū hikō"

J.A.K.A.M. feat. Nanao Tavito "Prometheus"

BOO "smile in your face -Featuring Muro-"

Haruomi Hosono "Sports Men" (Live at The Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles, July, 2019)

Miharu Koshi "L'amour toujours"

Quruli "Devil"

Quruli "Aria from the sea"

Jirō Inagaki and His Soul Media, Yasushi Sawada "Dōsojin" digest (of a CD re-issue from 2015)

Halfby is celebrating his 20th anniversary of activity by releasing a 7" EP of two of his hit songs: "Slow Banana feat. Alfred Beach Sandal" (from 5th album "Innn Hawaii") and "Star Track feat. Rondo Brothers" (from 2nd album "Side Farmers"). The EP comes as pink color vinyl, in a jacket that reuses artwork of the two albums.

Halfby "20th Anniversary" (7")

A. SLOW BANANA feat. Alfred Beach Sandal
B. STAR TRACK feat. RONDO BROTHERS

Second Royal
Out 6/9, ¥1800 (excl. tax)
Order: Jet Set

"Slow Banana"

"Star Track"

moonriders is releasing a live album of a show that was performed with no audience, instead streamed live online on August 25, 2020 at Shibuya Club Quattro. They played their whole classic album "Camera Egal Stylo" (1980) to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

Check out the documentary video below which shows plenty of video footage from the day of the event!

moonriders "moonriders special live Camera Egal Stylo"
ムーンライダーズ 「moonriders special live カメラ＝万年筆」

1. kanojo ni tsuite shitteiru 2, 3 no kotogara
2. dai3 no otoko
3. mubōbi toshi
4. Alphaville
5. 24jikan no jōji
6. Interior
7. chinmoku
8. tengoku
9. makuma
10. taiyō no shita no 18sai
11. mizu no naka no Knife
12. Lolita Ya-Ya
13. kurutta Vacance
14. yokubō
15. otona wa wakatte kurenai
16. daitokai kōkyōgaku

moonriders records XQCG-1909
Out 6/9, ¥3000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Trailer clip

Following a 7" release as ARM (Akakage+RYO-Z+MGF), last year's "sorezore no Saturday", here comes a new song this time featuring MGF member Keisuke Saitō instead of the whole group. The B-side features a new project of Yōichirō Itō (Akakage), named Unknown Famous! The artwork is by Yoichiro (aka Yōichirō Itō himself).

Both songs can be sampled at Jet Set.

Akakage RYO-Z Keisuke Saito "matilda" (7")

(Title / Artist)
A. matilda / Akakage RYO-Z Keisuke
B. Shuckin' Sugar Blues (UF Piano Break) / Unknown Famous

Romantickers Records RREP-0002
Out now (6/2), ¥1600 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

A series of Crazy Ken Band 7"'s is being released since last month. Based on 2012 mix CDs "World Standard Crazy Ken Band ~A Tatsuo Sunaga Live Mix~" and "Diggin' Crazy Ken Band mixed by Muro", the songs are selected by DJs Tatsuo Sunaga and Muro. This month comes one release from each selector.

Last month's two releases, both selected by Muro, can still be found at HMV here: "DIGGIN' CRAZY KEN BAND ep01 selected by MURO" (incl. "Record" & "kawaii hōmonsha"), "DIGGIN' CRAZY KEN BAND ep02 selected by MURO" (incl. "Brand New Honda" & "7ji 77fun").

Crazy Ken Band "World Standard CRAZY KEN BAND ep01 selected by Tatsuo Sunaga" (7")
クレイジーケンバンド 「World Standard CRAZY KEN BAND ep01 selected by Tatsuo Sunaga」

A. aru Racer no shi AUDEIMUSICA N°12
B. yama no oto -sō da, Kyōto ni ikō. REMIX- Remixed by Sunaga t Experience

Diguma Doughnuts DIGM005
Out now (6/5), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

Crazy Ken Band "DIGGIN' CRAZY KEN BAND ep03 selected by MURO" (7")
クレイジーケンバンド 「DIGGIN' CRAZY KEN BAND ep03 selected by MURO」

A. MIDNIGHT CRUISER
B. neko

Diguma Doughnuts DIGM006
Out now (6/5), ¥2000 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: Jet Set, HMV, Tower Records ^†
† Tower Records ships within Japan only

A brand new original song by Wakita Monari has just been released digitally! "Place" has music co-written by Arai Toshiya (COUNTJOKE) & Dorian, and lyrics by YURINA da GOLD DIGGER (Magic, Drums & Love). Monari also took part in co-writing both the music and lyrics. You can hear it now on your favorite digital platform from the links below.

"Place" will also be released on 7" for Record Store Day's RSD Drops on June 12, including an exclusive B-side titled "Ondo" (written by Dorian and Monari). The 7" will include a download code. Stay tuned for RSD Drops picks on this site soon.

Wakita Monari will perform a set at Yatsui Festival 2021 on June 19, which can be watched for free online. The timetable hasn't been announced yet, so watch the site or Tokyo's Coolest Sound's Live streaming calendar for details soon.

Wakita Monari "Place" (Download)
脇田もなり 「PLACE」

Vivid Sound
Out now (6/5)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

CAPSULE has just released yesterday a brand new song titled "Hikari no disco", a title that roughly translates to "Disco of light"! With the song came along a music video showing singer Koshijima Toshiko driving a retro-futuristic Honda Prelude complete with a tape deck. Check it out below!

It had been 6½ years since album "WAVE RUNNER" (2014).

CAPSULE "Hikari no disco" (Download)
CAPSULE 「ひかりのディスコ」

Warner
Out now (6/4)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, YouTube Music, OTOTOY

Neo-doo-wop group Jintana & Emeralds has just released a brand new song, titled "Drip Trip"! Formed of Jintana, Kashif, XTAL, with singers hitomitoi, Mami and Kami Kaoru. This time the song was written by Kashif, and the main singer is Kami Kaoru aka Cao Emeralds. The title and lyrics refer to the meditation time that happens when dripping coffee.

This is their 2nd release this year, following "Oh! Southern Wind" out in January. Also check out album "Destiny" (2014), and digital singles "Mirage" (2016) and "Summer Begins" (2018) (also on 7" at HMV).

Jintana & Emeralds "Drip Trip" (Download)

Pacific Pan Playa / P-Vine
Out now (6/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify

Singer-songwriter/trackmaker Mom has just released a new song titled "Kokoro Ga Kowaresou", accompanied by the music video below which has English subtitles. This song follows "shukujitsu" released in April, and 3rd album "21st Century Cultboi Ride a Sk8board" out in July 2020.

A live show will be streamed on June 12 from 17:00 (JST) from Billboard Live Yokohama, part of a 4-hour program also featuring Awesome City Club, Hitsujibungaku, sui, FAKY and Hentai Shinshi Club. It can be watched for free on Billboard Japan's official TikTok. Find details here.

Mom "Kokoro Ga Kowaresou" (Download)
Mom 「心が壊れそう」

Victor Entertainment
Out now (6/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify

Hideki Kaji has released this week a new song titled "Dreams Never End"! The song features Horie Hirohisa (Neil & Iraiza) on keyboards and programming by Arai Toshiya. The mix was done by Yoshida Jin (Salon Music).

A new album is in the works, to be released in early 2022, which will be the 25th anniversary of his debut!

On June 13 will be held an online live show, featuring Horie Hirohisa and Nari, as well as guest Yurina da Gold Digger (Magic, Drums & Love). FInd all details and tickets here.

Hideki Kaji "Dreams Never End" (Download)
カジヒデキ 「Dreams Never End」

1. Dreams Never End
2. Dreams Never End (Instrumental)

Blue Boys Club / AWDR/LR2
Out now (6/2)
Sample/buy: , Spotify, OTOTOY